32 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Central Hawke’s Bay Council Central Hawke’s Bay has continued to emerge as a unique tourism destination. Central Hawke’s Bay is thriving on the back of unprecedented growth not seen in the district since the 1960’s. From a declining population for nearly 20 years, Central Hawke’s Bay’s population has been steadily growing – buoyed by a surge of optimism and positivity. “The clear message from the people of Central Hawke’s Bay in 2016 was that there was a need for a new approach to delivering value for our community. We recognised that for effective change to happen in the district we needed the community behind us and that we needed to take a long-term view,” explains Mayor Alex Walker. After comprehensive community consultation and engagement, the beginning of a new values-based strategic leadership framework for Central Hawke’s Bay emerged – Project Thrive. “Project Thrive has underpinned this community’s and Council’s deliberate and clear approach to deliver on our collective vision for the future of our district”, says Mayor Walker. With the backing of council’s recent AA CouncilMARK™ assessment - one of only two councils in New Zealand to hold the AA grading, the highest grade currently awarded in New Zealand - and a clear and cohesive vision and blueprint for the future, Central Hawke’s Bay is thriving. “The secret’s out and it’s clear to understand why the district is seeing the surge of optimism we are. We know however that we still have challenges ahead from long-term affordability and housing our most vulnerable to water security. Through innovation, working together and thinking to the future we are working hard and deliberately to secure this district’s vision for growth, housing, innovative industries and outstanding community initiatives like our Jobs for Central Hawke’s Bay Programme.” Despite the double blow of sustained drought over two summers and the on-going impacts of COVID-19, the Central Hawke’s Bay economy remains in good shape, with business confident to invest and create jobs, says Mayor Walker. She says agriculture remains at the heart of the district making up over 30% of Central Hawke’s total GDP. “With a focus on a shift from a volume-to-value agricultural economy our community clearly understands the opportunities for agricultural land use diversification and sustainable land use. “With local examples like Kanapu Hemp in Otane and the ambitious horticultural expansions of Craigmore in Tikokino, this isn’t just a vision – it is coming to life across our district.” She says that Central Hawke’s Bay has continued to emerge as a unique tourism location, sustaining a continued rise in tourism spend, despite many districts seeing a rapid decline. Promoting and developing attractions such as the Tukituki Trails, the unique cultural story telling journey through ancient pā and wetlands – Ngā Ara Tipuna, and luxury food and wine opportunities such as Wallingford, Central Hawke’s Bay’s potential for tourism continues to grow, says Mayor Walker. To cope with the surge of optimism and growth there has been a boom in consenting for new residential dwellings buoyed with a 247 per cent boost in new lots being created in the last financial year. An additional 1700 homes are forecast to be needed by 2031 and Mayor Walker says that in the short to long term, while land availability is not going to be a constraint on development going forward, the District still faces the same national challenges of labour, materials and affordability. “Despite the challenges ahead, we know who we are and where we want to be as a community and with that clear vision in mind, continue to expect outstanding things from this district and community.” T T Karen Phelps Project Thrive a ‘vision for the future’
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